Introduction: While extensive research has examined the impact of social technology on individuals with disabilities, limited studies have explored its influence on daily participation among young adults without disabilities.
Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between social technology usage and engagement in daily occupations within this population.
Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a 10-minute online survey administered via Qualtrics to young adults aged 20-35. The survey incorporated the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0), the Social Media Usage Questionnaire, the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale, and demographic questions. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, employing descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Chi-Square tests to identify significant relationships.
Results: A total of 159 responses were collected, with 136 meeting inclusion criteria. The majority of participants were aged 20-25, with 12 individuals meeting the criteria for social media addiction. Instagram was the most frequently used platform, and texting was the most common social technology. Ethnic distribution showed a predominance of Hispanic/Latino participants, potentially influenced by the recruitment methods. WHODAS scores varied across ethnic groups, with Black/African American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander participants demonstrating the highest mean scores in different functional domains.
Conclusion: Findings suggest a relationship between social technology use and participation in daily activities, highlighting the need for further research on its occupational impact. These insights inform occupational therapy practice by underscoring the role of social technology in shaping engagement in meaningful activities and guiding intervention strategies.